His undergraduate school was the University of Iowa, and his graduate work was done at the University of Minnesota and the University of Denver.

He was a teacher of extraordinary abilities in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and served in the Minneapolis Public Schools as a speech specialist, helping students with speech impediments. Through the years, he kept in touch with many of his former students. The hundreds of students whose lives he touched and influenced will remember him fondly.

The elegance of his hospitality was legendary, both for his living style, interest in architecture and design, and the fine cuisine that he served to his many friends on special occasions. We will miss you, Dean.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, sister, and partners, Carl Jenkins and Bob Swan. His survivors include his brother, Jack Polton, and wife, Chris; niece Erin Fairbarin; Guy Polton; John Grisinger; cousin Jim Dorr; and his many loving friends here in the San Francisco Bay Area.